Pan-Seared Catfish with Cajun-Spiced Cornbread

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-28 · Updated 2026-04-28

This dish features tender pan-seared catfish fillets seasoned with robust Cajun spices, paired with moist and slightly sweet cornbread infused with corn kernels and jalapeño for a Southern touch. This Latin American recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, olive oil, cajun seasoning for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 fillets (about 6 oz each) catfish fillets
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp cajun seasoning
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup (melted) unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup (thawed) frozen corn kernels
• 1 small, finely diced jalapeño
• 2 tbsp (optional, for drizzling) honey

The cast-iron skillet we’d sear this in → Best Cast Iron Skillets for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a bowl, whisk together 1 cup cornmeal, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, and 2 tbsp granulated sugar until combined.
2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, beat 1 large egg with 1 cup milk and 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter. Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients until just combined, then fold in 1/2 cup thawed corn kernels and 1 finely diced jalapeño.
3. Step 3: Pour batter into a greased 8-inch square baking pan and bake for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean and top is golden.
4. Step 4: Meanwhile, pat dry 4 catfish fillets and season both sides with 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
5. Step 5: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add catfish fillets and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until edges are crispy and fish flakes easily with a fork.
6. Step 6: Serve catfish hot with a slice of jalapeño cornbread and drizzle with 2 tbsp honey if desired.